Spitfire Cruise Speed

[JP1]

Only 96 hours in the log book, but I am slowly building up those interesting sights that one sees from in the air.

I have now had the pleasure of formation ducks flying over me at 4000ft, a small helium balloon drift past the canopy at about 2000ft and on Sunday, meeting a Spitfire head on.

as he went past I did consider for a very brief moment pulling the AT3 hard over into a max rate turn after selecting machine guns!

So I was wondering if I had pushed everything forward and increased my crusie speed by 5 knots, what speed would he still have over me. Asuming I was still in the Sun and he hadn't spottted me

[subsonicsubic]

At least 200 knots...

Best,

SSS

[*Zwitter*]

Mate of mine who flies a MKIX regularly says about 320kts on average as far as I remember.

I can doube check if you really want to know.

[Dan Dare]

Of course, they would not be exceeding the speed limit of 250 kts.

[Unusual Attitude]

Many ex Mil types are given an exemption to the 250kts restriction, mainly Jets but Spitfire is no slouch so may also apply.